Choose a recent documentary film and write an analysis (1250 words) that identifies the film’s goal and explains how the film works to achieve that goal.
As you generate material for your first draft (500 words), keep the following questions in mind: (1) What is the central topic of the documentary? (2) What argument does the documentary advance within that topic area? (3) What cinematic techniques does the film employ to persuade the viewer of that argument?
You can use the Kanopy Streaming Service on the U8 Libraries web page (https://research.lib.buffalo.edu/kanopy-streaming-service) to find a recent documentary exploring an issue or issues that you are interested in learning about.
You will need to view the documentary you have chosen several times. What patterns do you see? How does the documentary make an argument? What kinds of knowledge, attitudes, and literacies does it assume of its audience? Use the sections on Visual Rhetoric and Design in your textbook to consider cinematic techniques like shot selection, sequence, and sound. You will need to experiment with different options for organization before settling on an effective one. and experiment with more and more refined thesis statements before settling on one that works best for your audience and with the evidence you have.
Sample Solution
